Voting underway in 139 upazilas in first phase

The first phase of the sixth Upazila Parishad Election is underway in 139 upazilas across the country.

Voting began at 8:00am while it will continue until 4:00pm.

The battle of ballots will take place among the independents, mostly from the ruling Awami League as political parties have not fielded candidates.

BNP and many other parties are staying away from the polls like they did in the case of the January 7 national election.

However, at least 64 BNP leaders are running in today's polls going against its decision, said party sources.

Some 1,630 candidates, including nearly 570 chairman contenders, are in the electoral race in the 139 upazila parishads against a total of 417 posts—chairman posts, vice chairman posts, and women vice chairman posts in each upazila.

More than 2.80 crore people would have voting rights in the upazilas, according to the data of the Election Commission.